Dos Mayas

I picked out Marilla Walker’s Maya pattern again recently, and ended up making two garments with it as the basis. I’ve worn my first Maya so much that’s it’s starting to look worse for wear, so another was definitely required.

I threw a metre of this gorgeous new Nani Iro double gauze into a recent Miss Matatabi order and managed to squish a Maya out of it by taking a couple of inches off the length. I also wanted to play with the stripes a bit as usual, so cut the lower half of the front on the crossgrain. The lower half is also cut on the fold, eliminating the button band – I was trying to go for a popover placket effect without the daunting task of sewing a tower placket.

To turn Maya into a dress, I simply cut the top at waistline length and added a gathered elasticated skirt. I like the resulting retro kinda vibe – it reminds me of the 1980s’ take on ’50s shirtwaist day dresses.

The equally luscious fabric is an Anna Maria Horner rayon called Helios, its crazy pegasus print made more subtle by the moody teal colouring. I got it shipped from the US and got stung with a customs charge, though I think it still wound up cheaper than I would have paid here. And luckily it was dreamy to work with and to wear so it’s worth the cost.

On both garments I used self-bias to finish the neckline instead of the included facing, due to both preference and fabric scarcity. Also neither button band has real buttonholes since they aren’t needed for access – I just stitched on the buttons through both layers – making these a quick and gratifying sew that have gone right into wardrobe rotation. Marilla’s patterns always seem to have those special qualities of sewing joy and extreme wearability – I’m excited to see her next release, which is coming very soon…

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20 thoughts on “Dos Mayas”

Hi Katie! I might have said hi on Instagram but not yet on the blog — so hello and thank you for your inspiring blog!

These are really lovely adaptations of the Maya pattern. And, as always, I’m impressed with your fabric choices. You find the most interesting fabrics, in a color palette that really speaks to me. That said, I remember passing that rayon over a while ago and now, looking at your dress, I feel I was so wrong to dismiss it.

Oh, perfect timing, Katie. I love both of these mods. I’ve just got my sewing mojo back and wondering about which patterns I can hack and I can see I need to do both of these. Thanks! (and I can’t wait for Marilla’s next release neither!)

Really lovely! I know what you mean about the 80s/50s thing, I really think that the loose shirtwaist dress is back in fashion, and I laugh when I see all of the slightly daggy 80s pattern designs that are pretty much super cool right now (I’m a big fan). Sans shoulder pads obviously! Now I’m inspired to give Maya a go.

Omg Katie these are awesome! That horse fabric is da bomb! Actually I love both of these pieces equally even though they’re completely different. The shape of that top is really cute and the dress too.